Panoramic digital camera system

A dynamic, panoramic image processor for recording plural views taken at angular intervals about an axis, comprising:

• a video image recorder disposed to convert optical images selectively directed towards said video image recorder into data in digital form, and a light directing device disposed to move through a predetermined path in repeating cycles and to direct optical images from the environment of said image processor to said video image recorder such that images are recorded at each one of a predetermined plural number of viewing angles, said light directing device having a prime mover disposed to move said light directing device in said cycles at speeds assuring that images captured at each said viewing angle will be perceived by the unaided eye as continuous and uninterrupted when reproduced at similar frequencies, wherein said light directing device comprises a motor having rotatable components and a mirror fixed to and rotated by said motor, and wherein only said mirror and said rotatable components of said motor rotate when said panoramic image processor is recording images;
• a data processor having a memory device disposed to receive and store data in digital form from said video image recorder, whereby captured optical images may be stored in said memory device and retrieved for subsequent reproduction and viewing;
• data distribution apparatus disposed to transmit data stored in said memory device in the form of data signals to remotely located data operated display devices;
• a plurality of data operated display devices disposed to receive said data signals and generate reproduced optical images corresponding to optical images recorded in digital form in said memory device, each said display device having a control disposed to select data stored in digital form in said memory device for reproduction on said display device.

A method of recording and reproducing dynamic optical images, comprising the steps of:

• operating a video image recorder at a scene to be viewed remotely by reproduction of optical images;
• directing light towards the video image recorder by a light directing device comprising a mirror and a motor having rotatable components;
• moving the light directing device in a predetermined path in repeating cycles;
• directing optical images from the scene into the video image recorder with a light directing device;
• causing only the mirror and rotatable components of the motor to rotate when recording images;
• positioning the video image recorder in a fixed position relative to the scene being recorded;
• and
• converting images into data in digital form and entering the data into memory.

A dynamic, panoramic image processor for recording plural views taken at angular intervals about an axis, comprising

• a video image recorder disposed to convert optical images selectively directed towards said video image recorder into data in digital form;
• and
• a light directing device disposed to move through a predetermined path in repeating cycles and to direct optical images from the environment of said image processor to said video image recorder such that images are recorded at each one of a predetermined plural number of viewing angles, said light directing device having a prime mover disposed to move said light directing device in said cycles at speeds assuring that images captured at each said viewing angle will be perceived by the unaided eye as continuous and uninterrupted when reproduced at similar frequencies,
• wherein said light directing device comprises a motor having rotatable components and fixed components, and a mirror fixed to and rotated by said motor, and
• wherein said mirror is located between said motor and said video image recorder.